Finding an affordable, last-minute Halloween costume can be tricky. Editors Maribelle Lee and Joyce Ng challenged themselves to thrift a costume at Goodwill in 30 minutes for under $30. With the clock ticking, carts clattering and hangers scraping, they rushed through the aisles. To save their precious time, they chose their characters in advance, landing on the nostalgic theme of “Scooby Doo.” Joyce dressed up as Velma and Maribelle as Daphne. 

Joyce Ng’s experience

My hunt started with a focus on an orange and red color scheme that would bring the outfit to life. In the shirt section, I secured an orange tank top and cardigan to replicate Velma’s sweater. I was nervous about finding a piece to match her signature skirt, but luckily a red jean skirt stuck out against the other colors. It was too big on me, but with limited options, I kept it and grabbed a brown belt to make the waistline fit better. Knowing I was close to my budget, I finished the costume by searching for shoes. I was happily surprised to find the perfect red Mary Janes to match Velma’s. Though some pieces were hard to find or did not fit perfectly, the challenge tested my creativity and styling choices. I have always enjoyed thrifting, and being constrained to a set of rules made me realize just how versatile it can be.

Maribelle Lee’s experience

I started my thrifting journey by searching for Daphne’s purple dress, but after rifling through what felt like hundreds of hangers, I failed to find one resembling hers. I finally spotted a lilac cardigan hanging near the end of the rack. Though it was not the same as Daphne’s dress, the color matched perfectly with the skirt I was later able to find, which made the outfit look like a set. I got excited about what else I could find but I knew the clock was ticking. I raced to find her iconic green scarf but only found neon or plaid ones. This forced me to get creative and accessorize my outfit with a green bag, belt and shoes, giving the outfit a playful spin. Even though my costume was not identical to Daphne’s outfit, the pieces came together surprisingly well, creating a fun and recognizable look that combined her style with mine.